Unique Bonfire Sculptures

Immense towering sculptures that are built in a mad-dash during every November leading up to East Hoathly's Bonfire Carnival celebrations. The bonfire is built with waste wood destined for landfill. The whole project is left entirely in my hands which is wonderfully liberating, not having a brief or budget to worry about.

The bonfire is a community project built for and by the members of the village Carnival Society, all entirely by amazing volunteers.

20 Oct2015

The (wooden) Iron Man - 2015's bonfire sculpture

A blogged progress of this years bonfire - built in a hurry over three weekends.

I really was struggling with the design for this year - not something that usually is a problem - I've usually got the idea ready to go a year ahead. A slightly panicked conversation a few weeks ago with a couple of friends provided the in inspiration I needed - so this years bonfire owes a lot to them and especially Rowan - thank you!

The theme is obviously, The Iron Man (Ted Hughes' version not the Marvel one) clawing his way out of the ground.

Another good weekend - some excellent progress made - but boy we've still a huge amount to do!

Wonderful weather again - we really are having a lovely autumn!

Here's a couple of photos Justin took of day 3 (Saturday) of the build

Just some of the amazing team; Ronnie, Sam (on the ladder) Rob, me and Mike We also had Tony's brother Phil helping, and he came all the way from Minnesota - so there really is no excuse to come and help (Hope you got home safe and well Phil!)

So this is the fire as we left it Saturday....Here's a LINK to a timelapse film of the mornings work

On to Sunday and a couple of photos one from Justin and one from Ant (thanks fellas)

Not such a good day (for progress) on Sunday - we also got the tele-handler stuck - Ant went and got his rather splendid new tractor and hauled it out..it's not what you know but who you know! Here's a time lapse of the mornings progress before Ronnie dragged us all to the Kings Head for a rather needed lunchtime drink.

I hope the weather is as good next weekend - much easier than to work in the rain and wind!

2nd November 15

Another excellent weekend - great turn out, and a great deal of progress made.

The photos are taken by David (thank you!)

Debbie, Andy, Rowan and Justin finishing the right hand

The view from the top

Shaun working on the shoulder

Jon and James working on the upper arm

Rob, Shaun and I working on the head, with Mike working on the shoulder

Not many photos from Sunday - but here's how we left it. Check out the Timelapse films from the weekend: HERE and HERE . Still a fair amount to do - we meeting again on Thursday hopefully finishing it then. Hopefully we should have a projection onto the unlit fire too!

A few more photos from Sunday - Rob emailed them through to me - thanks Rob!

View from the top! - Pat Martin kindly lends us his Tele. handler - we would really struggle without it!

Working on the face - Mike waiting for me to make up my mind! watch by Ray (who's been no help at all this year!), my Dad with Debbie and Justin wondering when we're off to the pub.

2nd November 2015.

Another quite extraordinary weekend draws to a close. A very wet Thursday saw the fire completed. My wonderful friend Jim Holden popped down and captured us as we where just finishing - I don't think I need to add anything! Just to say in the picture is; me, Debbie, Sam, Justin, Jon, Ronnie, Tony, Shaun (and Alfie) and Mike

After more wet weather on Friday and Saturday the weather finally broke for us and we had good weather for the evening.

Justin took some amazing photos of the fire as it burned

As you can see the mouth worked and it opened shortly after the fire was lit and smoke and flame belched out as planned!

I set the time lapse up on Saturday afternoon - it shows the evening building to the processions and the bonfire being consumed, it continues until the next day and includes the society members up before dawn to tidy up the mess created by the event too - you can view the video HERE

As mentioned before the very talented Jim Holden has really capture the event - more photos of his can be found HERE

So sadly another incredible East Hoathly carnival draws to a close - only another 363 days to go until the next one!

It just leaves me to thank all that helped with the bonfire this year, to all that lent kit, tools, machinery or projectors. It simply would not happen without that help - so thank you all.